Page 25 - Tata-Trusts-Annual-Report-2021-22

OF
HOPE

Optimising cancer care through meaningful,
community-level behaviour change

India’s north-east region has seen a marked increase in Unable to endure the physical discomfort during the biopsy,
tobacco-related cancers, such as oral and lung cancers, with Jalal Uddin refused to do the procedure again, which delayed

the number expected to increase significantly going forward. his treatment by many months. A patient navigator’s e orts to
Many of these cancers are curable through screening and early make him more aware about his condition and the treatment
detection, but a general lack of awareness and poor supporting involved also proved futile.
infrastructure has prevented meaningful behaviour change.
The Trusts’ community-based awareness programmes use
Such a scenario has proved to be a hindrance in the di erent cohorts working in the community, such as
treatment of thousands of patients, such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse

60-year-old Jalal Uddin, diagnosed with Midwives (ANMs), NGOs, Panchayats, community leaders,
suspected oral cancer, basis community and student bodies, to improve knowledge and
screening at a government Health and Wellness awareness about cancer.
Centre (HWC) in Hatizuzua, Nagaon district of
These programmes also aim to boost participation in
Assam. He was subsequently referred to the
screening camps conducted at local Primary Health Care
Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in
(PHCs) Centres, hold awareness talks, rallies, and focus group
2021, where he was advised by the attending
sessions to promote early detection and bring about
physician to undergo an ultrasonography
community-wide behaviour change, especially among
(USG)-guided fine needle aspiration cytology
patients strongly resisting treatment, such as Jalal Uddin.
(FNAC) procedure and a sputum test.
It is the concerted e orts of local health
The local ASHA and frontline worker
practitioners and community workers that
informed the Trusts’ Patient Navigator
eventually convinced Jalal Uddin to commence his
about Jalal Uddin, who facilitated an
radiation therapy. He is now on his way to recovery,
appointment and visit to the State Cancer
albeit a delayed one.
Institute (SCI).

Jalal Uddin’s diagnosis was delayed due to the pandemic, but in
May 2021 he was told he had metastatic carcinoma, or an
advanced stage of oral cancer. He was then referred to SCI for
further treatment, where he was advised to undergo further

tests, including an endoscopy-guided biopsy. 3 GOOD HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING
PROJECT ALIGNS WITH SDG

ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 18